Old Barclays bank could be turned into restaurant

The former Barclays bank, on Station Road in Flitwick, has stood empty for a year

An empty building that was formerly a bank could be transformed into a two-storey restaurant and retail unit.

Flitwick Town Council said it had been given a £293,000 government grant to renovate 3 Station Road.

Plans were also in place to restore a post office in the town after its only one closed in December 2022.

It said it consulted with residents who had "repeatedly expressed their wish for improved retail options in the town, especially emphasising the need to bring back post office and banking facilities".

Flitwick's post office closed in December 2022

The council said it bought the building in November 2021 as an investment to "secure the frontage" for community use and "prevent the rest of the site from being lost to residential development".

It said its vision would see "the building fully renovated and reconfigured to provide space for a casual dining restaurant in the two-storey section and a single-storey retail unit".

Subject to planning permission, modern glazing could replace the old facade and the front of the building could be used for outdoor dining.

Andy Snape, the town's mayor, said: "Our plans will create a modern hub in the town centre, including an exciting new restaurant and, hopefully, a post office, with both businesses serving the whole community."

Money for the project has come from the government's community ownership fund.

The town's only bank, Barclays, closed on 14 April last year and was replaced by a cashless facility, Barclays Local, at The Rufus Centre.

Yorkshire Building Society, on Station Square, remains open.

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